1. Immediately tagged with "Do Not Use" or similar language, [55 FR 47689, Nov. 14, 1990; 56 FR 2585, Jan. 23, 1991; 56 FR 41794, Aug. 23, 1991; 79 FR 20743, Apr. The requirements and best practices on each of the elements are given in the respective pages. Ladders constructed of these materials are well-suited for environments where metal ladders are not safe to use, specifically in the presence of electrical equipment. Note to paragraph (d): 1910.23(b)(12) Each employee uses at least one hand to grasp the ladder when climbing up and down it. Each rung of a double-rung ladder (two side rails and a center rail) shall extend the full width of the ladder. Except when portable ladders are used to gain access to fixed ladders (such as those on utility towers, billboards, and other structures where the bottom of the fixed ladder is elevated to limit access), when two or more separate ladders are used to reach an elevated work area, the ladders shall be offset with a platform or landing between the ladders. Rungs, cleats, and steps of portable ladders (except as provided below) and fixed ladders (including individual-rung/step ladders) shall be spaced not less than 10 inches (25 cm) apart, nor more than 14 inches (36 cm) apart, as measured between center lines of the rungs, cleats, and steps. Use ladders only on stable and level surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental movement. OSHA Ladder Safety Compliance: General Ladder Rules & Requirements, understands the environmental hazards nearby, Ladder rungs, steps, and cleats are parallel, level, and uniformly spaced when the ladder is in position for use, Ladders are used only for the purposes for which they were designed, Each employee faces the ladder when climbing up or down it, Each employee uses at least one hand to grasp the ladder when climbing up and down, No employee carries any object or load that could cause them to lose balance and fall while climbing up or down, Do not load ladders beyond their maximum intended load nor beyond their manufacturers rated capacity. Choose the right style, height, material, and performance (duty) rating required for the job. ANSI ASC A14.2-2017 provides recommendations for the spacing between rungs, angle of inclination, and the correct workmanship for the bolts, rivets, and welds that are holding the pieces of the ladder together. Despite its popularity among ladder users, metal cannot be used for all processes that need to reach reasonable heights. The employer must ensure: Design requirements for mobile ladder stand platforms. OSHA ladder safety rules are a popular topic, and rightly so. Did you know that 20% of lost work-day and fatal workplace injuries are caused by ladder falls in general industry? When ascending or descending a ladder, the user shall face the ladder. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Our safety staffing services can help you identify which of your safety processes arent compliant and how to improve their compliance and safety for a healthier workplace. When safety requirements are passed from the relevant authorities, companies should brief them to their employees to ensure everyone adhere to the safety regulations and follow closely to prevent any injuries to themselves and to fellow co-workers. They include advice on positioning, securing, and safe loads for ladders. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also uses performance-based requirements for portable ladders. The top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step. Portable ladders and platforms used on structures or conductors in conjunction with overhead line work shall meet the following requirements: 1926.955 (b) (1) Design load. Fixed ladders without cages or wells shall have a clear width to the nearest permanent object of at least 15 inches (38 cm) on each side of the centerline of the ladder. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. Accidents from portable ladders are very common. Contact us todayto speak with a team member about how we can best serve your Texas workplace. Portable ladders help you access a work area or provide support while you work. Wilmington, DE 19899-0445. Employers must train all their employees so theyre able to recognize hazards related to ladders and stairways and instruct them on how to minimize these hazards. OSHA Ladder Safety Guidelines 5 Ground Rules to Follow. Ladders placed in any location where they can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic, such as in passageways, doorways, or driveways, shall be secured to prevent accidental displacement, or a barricade shall be used to keep the activities or traffic away from the ladder. Is the height over 24 feet? 10-14 IN (25-36 CM) On Center. When that is not possible, the ladder must be secured and a grasping device such as a grab rail must be provided. Individual-rung/step ladders, except those used where their access openings are covered with manhole covers or hatches, shall extend at least 42 inches (1.1 m) above an access level or landing platform either by the continuation of the rung spacings as horizontal grab bars or by providing vertical grab bars that shall have the same lateral spacing as the vertical legs of the rungs. The working load that these different ladder types can carry ranges from 200-375 pounds. 1910.23(b)(5) Wooden ladders are not coated with any material that may obscure structural defects. Application. [Reply #2 (General Industry):] If these ladders do not fit the definition of fixed ladders as defined above, they would be deemed as portable ladders, and, therefore, not required to have fall protection. good work procedures and adequate ladder maintenance. Portable ladders are one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment in industry. If youre concerned that you dont even know what you dont know about ladder safety, oursafety compliance managementservices are right for you. The ability of a ladder to sustain the loads indicated in this paragraph shall be determined by applying or transmitting the requisite load to the ladder in a downward vertical direction when the ladder is placed at an angle of 75 1/2 degrees from the horizontal. Portable ladders refer to side rails with rungs, steps, or cleats joining them. The employer must ensure: [39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, as amended at 43 FR 49744, Oct. 24, 1978; 49 FR 5321, Feb. 10, 1984; 81 FR 82983-82986, Nov. 18, 2016; 84 FR 68795, Dec. 17, 2019], Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Used in emergency operations such as firefighting, rescue, and tactical law enforcement operations, or training for these operations; or. Mobile ladder stands and mobile ladder stand platforms -. Box 445 Wood ladders shall not be coated with any opaque covering, except for identification or warning labels which may be placed on one face only of a side rail. The side rails of through or side-step fixed ladders shall extend 42 inches (1.1 m) above the top of the access level or landing platform served by the ladder. The proposed rule also provides for exemption from fall protection requirements for "qualified climbers" as provided in 1910.32(b)(5). Ladder sections shall be offset from adjacent sections, and landing platforms shall be provided at maximum intervals of 50 feet (15.2 m). Second one is for Side Clearances for Side-step ladders. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Opens at least 70 degrees from horizontal if the hatch is counterbalanced; Individual-rung ladders are constructed to prevent the employee's feet from sliding off the ends of the rungs (see Figure D-4 of this section); Fixed ladders having a pitch greater than 90 degrees from the horizontal are not used; The step-across distance from the centerline of the rungs or steps is: For through ladders, not less than 7 inches (18 cm) and not more than 12 inches (30 cm) to the nearest edge of the structure, building, or equipment accessed from the ladders; For side-step ladders, not less than 15 inches (38 cm) and not more than 20 inches (51 cm) to the access points of the platform edge; Fixed ladders that do not have cages or wells have: A clear width of at least 15 inches (38 cm) on each side of the ladder centerline to the nearest permanent object; and. Cages for fixed ladders shall conform to all of the following: Horizontal bands shall be fastened to the side rails of rail ladders, or directly to the structure, building, or equipment for individual-rung ladders; Vertical bars shall be on the inside of the horizontal bands and shall be fastened to them; Cages shall extend not less than 27 inches (68 cm), or more than 30 inches (76 cm) from the centerline of the step or rung (excluding the flare at the bottom of the cage), and shall not be less than 27 inches (68 cm) in width; The inside of the cage shall be clear of projections; Horizontal bands shall be spaced not more than 4 feet (1.2 m) on center vertically; Vertical bars shall be spaced at intervals not more than 9 1/2 inches (24 cm) on center horizontally; The bottom of the cage shall be at a level not less than 7 feet (2.1 m) nor more than 8 feet (2.4 m) above the point of access to the bottom of the ladder. The tallest man who ever lived in recorded history, Robert Pershing Wadlow, stood at 811. Safe ladder use per OSHA typically involves some weight parameters. Let's take a closer look at the OSHA regulations and requirements for ladder safety. Ladders shall not be loaded beyond the maximum intended load for which they were built, nor beyond their manufacturer's rated capacity. Width between rails shall increase at least inch (0.64 cm) for each additional 2 feet (0.61 m) of ladder length. Directorate of Compliance Programs, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This involves using test loads on the rungs and side rails to determine how much weight they can support. Whose responsibility is it to keep ladders in good condition? 1926.1053 (b) (15) - Ladders shall be inspected by a competent person for visible defects periodically and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use. Portable ladders with structural defects, such as, but not limited to, broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, corroded components, or other faulty or defective components, shall either be immediately marked in a manner that readily identifies them as defective, or be tagged with "Do Not Use" or similar language, and shall be withdrawn from service until repaired. Some of the more common hazards involving ladders, such as instability, electrical shock, and falls, can be predicted and prevented. An employee shall not carry any object or load that could cause the employee to lose balance and fall. These are some examples of topics that might be covered in a ladder or stairway training: OSHA does require employers to retrain each employee as necessary to maintain their understanding and knowledge on the safe use and construction of ladders and stairs. (The requirements to have guardrail systems with toeboards for falling object and overhead protection on platforms and landings are set forth in subpart M of this part.). This section covers all ladders, except when the ladder is: General requirements for all ladders. The following OSHA ladder inspection requirements are specified in their safety standards. For side-step fixed ladders, the side rails and the steps or rungs shall be continuous in the extension. Standards for job-made portable ladders. [48 FR 30909, July 5, 1983; 62 FR 40141, July 25, 1997; 65 FR 40941, June 30, 2000], Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Other times, the OSHA ladder safety rules can be difficult to remember. Although the Ladder components shall be surfaced so as to prevent injury to an employee from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing. OSHA Ladder Safety for General Industry | Safesite. Each fixed ladder: At least two loads of 250 pounds (114 kg) each, concentrated between any two consecutive attachments (the number and position of additional concentrated loads of 250 pounds (114 kg) each, determined from anticipated usage of the ladder, shall also be included), plus anticipated loads caused by ice buildup, winds, rigging, and impact loads resulting from the use of ladder safety devices. Ladder rungs, steps, and cleats are spaced not less than 10 and not more than 14 apartmeasured between the centerlines of the rungs, cleats, and steps, except: Ladder rungs and steps in elevator shafts must be spaces not less than 6 apart and not more than 16.5 apartmeasured along the side rails, Fixed ladder rungs and steps on telecommunication towers must be spaced no more than 18 apartmeasured between the centerlines of the rungs or steps, Steps on stepstools are spaced not less than 8 apart and not more than 12 apartmeasured between the centerlines of the steps. A ladder extension must not deflect under a load that would cause the ladder to slip off its supports. Fixed ladders shall be used at a pitch no greater than 90 degrees from the horizontal, as measured to the back side of the ladder. Also, by inference, a portable ladder would be one that is not an integral part of a building or structure. Fixed ladders above 24 feet must have a fall protection system Previously, the OSHA required fixed ladders taller than 20 feet to have cages as a form of fall protection. 1926.1053(b)(15) Ladders shall be inspected by a competent person for visible defects periodically and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use. All portable metal ladders and wood ladders shall comply with 3276. First one is for Fixed Ladder Dimensions and Side Clearances. This standard is available as part of the ANSI ASC A14.2 / ANSI ASC A14.5 / ANSI/ASSE A10.8 Portable Ladder and Scaffolding Package and the ANSI ASC A14 Ladder Standards Package. Ladders built in conformance with the applicable provisions of appendix A will be deemed to meet this requirement. When not required, it is advisable, if feasible, however, to have fall protection when the worker doesn't have at least one hand available to hold on to the ladder. For greater heights, outriggers, counterweights, or comparable means that stabilize the mobile ladder stands and platforms and prevent overturning must be used; Mobile ladder stands and platforms that have wheels or casters are equipped with a system to impede horizontal movement when an employee is on the stand or platform; and. click on anyDownload This Talk The standard also identifies tests that should be used to determine if the ladder meets the guidelines for the five types of portable metal ladders. The top of the parapet, if the parapet is continuous; A minimum perpendicular distance of 30 inches (76 cm) from the centerline of the steps or rungs to the nearest object on the climbing side. Scope and applicability. The OSHA General Requirements (29 CFR 1926.1050-1060) deal mainly with when and where ladders or stairs are required. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Rungs, cleats, and steps of the base section of extension trestle ladders shall not be less than 8 inches (20 cm) nor more than 18 inches (46 cm) apart, as measured between center lines of the rungs, cleats, and steps. An employee was climbing a 10 foot ladder to access a landing which was 9 feet above the adjacent floor. OSHA ladder safety rules and regulations exist because statistics show that workers are more likely to abuse and misuse ladders rather than use them correctly in the workplace. When splicing is required to obtain a given length of side rail, the resulting side rail must be at least equivalent in strength to a one-piece side rail made of the same material. Keep areas clear around the top and bottom of ladders. Steps of mobile ladder stand platforms meet the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section. Where ladder safety devices are provided, the maximum clearance between side rails of the extensions shall not exceed 36 inches (91 cm). 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